The Bay Mills Casino, an off-reservation operation, shut its doors in March 2011 after Judge Paul L. Maloney granted an injunction. Bay Mills appealed to the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which ruled to keep the casino closed while the issue worked its way through the judicial system. But in August 2012, the 6th Circuit vacated the injunction. That decision raised the hopes of Vanderbilt residents that the casino would soon reopen. However, the casino is still closed as the case winds its way through the legal system.

The Supreme Court’s decision to hear the case “sets the stage for an important discussion about the states’ ability to halt the unrestrained expansion of off-reservation tribal casino gambling,” Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette said, according to the Battle Creek Enquirer. “We look forward to making our case before the nation’s highest court this fall.”

Bay Mills Tribal Chairman Kurt Perron said the tribe is “deeply concerned” the Supreme Court has agreed to hear the dispute, “as it is in any case where it appears the court may examine the doctrine of tribal sovereign immunity.” However, Perron said the tribe is “confident that the nation’s highest court will agree with our position.”

The Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, which operates a casino just 30 miles from the closed Vanderbilt casino, also sued to force the closure. It is not participating in the appeal.